Wiki's Wales Accused of Inappropriate Spending

Claims he abused his foundation's trust
By Nick McMaster,  Newser Staff
Posted Mar 5, 2008 10:47 PM CST
Wiki's Wales Accused of Inappropriate Spending
Jimmy Wales, founder of Wikipedia, answers a question during an interview with the Associated Press Friday, June 29, 2007, in St. Petersburg, Fla. (AP Photo/Chris O'Meara)   (Associated Press)

Jimmy Wales has been hit with allegations that he abused his position as founder of Wikipedia, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. A former Wikipedia employee, Danny Wool, has claimed on his blog that Wales used his Wikimedia Foundation credit card for personal expenses. Meanwhile, a former girlfriend released chat transcripts between her and Wales that indicate he edited her Wikipedia entry to remove unfavorable information.

Executives at Wikimedia Foundation are solidly behind Wales, denying any inappropriate expenses, but an internal email from chairwoman Florence Devouard acquired by the AP indicates otherwise. In it, she chastises Wales for asking them to cover a $1,300 steak dinner tab, despite also reporting to fellow board members that she had convinced the AP that “the money story was a no story.” (More Jimmy Wales stories.)

Get the news faster.
Tap to install our app.
X
Install the Newser News app
in two easy steps:
1. Tap in your navigation bar.
2. Tap to Add to Home Screen.

X